It is so good to be home. I am flabbergasted at the level of pain this operation has caused. I've had so many ops previous and this is by far the worst pain I've ever been in post surgery. It is nice to be home and responsible for my own pain management control and not having to beg for medication. Took 20mg oxy yesterday along with the new tepantadol and stayed in bed out of the way and will spend today resting in the recliner and watching the grand final.

Glad you're home. It was so unfortunate you had issues with your meds. Most likely had to deal with withdrawal along with the surgical pain.

Now; time to be good to yourself and be very careful. No bending, lifting, etc.
Hope hubby is doing okay.

Prayers are with both of you,

Gerry

Been catching up on posts from the last week or so, and can't believe what the hospital put you through. Was nobody able to explain why there is so much pain? Has the IPG kicked in yet and made any difference? I feel bad that mine has made so much difference yet yours and others has been less than successful. Hope this will be a better week for you. You can always come over and help me decide what to do about my job.

Phil

Oh well it had to happen, had another obstruction, this one very bad, haven't eaten now since Saturday. On the good side, the scs is covering the old familiar pain and the new pain less fearsome. I'm sure it will be a good outcome eventually. So the norspan and tepantadol begun the week before the op apparently triggered the beginning of the obstruction and then the added medazolam and morphine together with endone sealed the deal, sorry about the pun! It will take a week or so to recover from the obstruction by which time the back pain should be a memory... It's been a really tough week all in all

My being on pretty high dose Oxycontin and Percocet (break thru) have awful constipation issues and take Miralax daily; but can get pretty messy. My GI doctor has said as long as I am on narcotic meds daily, i will need to be on Miralax daily. At times, still seem to have backup problems.

When you write "another obstruction"; what do you do to clear the obstruction??? I am constantly in fear of having to deal with obstruction.

Thanks,

Gerry

Hi Gerry, I can relate to your fear only to well, the pain that comes with a total obstruction or even a bad partial obstruction is excruciating.... Sadly there are times when I miss the warning signs an obstruction is imminent and I've missed the window to take preventative measures, once the pain is coming in waves and I'm vomiting I have to go to ER and given anti emetics to stop the vomiting, morphine on demand to combat the hideous pain. (likely remain on morphine and anti emetics for the next 4 days) a nasal gastric tube is inserted (usually for 3 to 4 days) & a drip set up with saline solution and electrolytes - nil by mouth for at least 48 hours. I have been in ER for up to 24 hours until a bed becomes available for admission if I have had to go via ambulance. Once on the ward make you go solutions are given - go lightly, fleet or 4 sachets of movicol. Prepare for the ultimate humiliation! After a few days fluids are allowed - black tea or coffees & broth, if tolerated for 24 hours, you progress to light meals of custard, jellow or yogurt & tea or coffee with milk. Tolerate that for 24 hours and we are back to normal foods with minimal fibre, smaller portions and chewing everything for longer and plenty of water. The intestine feels like it's done 10 rounds with Tyson and I feel very weak and sore all over. Usually by day 5 I'm ready to go home, the longest I've been in was 10 days. One time after 6 days I came home and after 3 days rushed back in The pain, vomiting and NG tube are the worst but by no means the most embarrassing.

That is pretty awful. If I understand correctly, you have been hospitalized the past few days with obstruction? I believe it was only about a week ago you were in the hospital for lead replacement with paddle for scs.

Do you take any type of laxative; Miralax, etc. to keep things moving? As you well know; many meds; especially narcotics will cause constipation almost immediately. As I previous mentioned since being on narcotics daily, take Miralax daily. Days when I only take one dose, frequently will start to back up. Then I start increasing the Miralax accordingly to try to prevent getting any type of obstruction. I am always fearful when this happens.

I had gotten pretty backed up 2 years ago because of my daily Oxycontin. Went to ER. I was given enemas, had to drink several of the Movi-prep (which I frequently was unable to keep down). I had nothing like you describe done.

Entered ER on a Saturday and was admitted after several hours. While I was still in hospital trying to get things cleared out, I was advised to get Colonsocopy which I did. That's when the 3" cancerous tumor was discovered at the top of rectum which the following day had surgery to remove rectum, etc. Muscle was saved. I do not have a bag so I still deal with daily Miralax and always fearing the possibility of obstruction.

Since you seem very prone to obstruction, I would think doctors would be able to provide you with some preventative measures.

You have really have been dealing with wayyyy too much.


Gerry

Gerry, I take 1 to 2 sachets of movicol daily and have done since 2010, prior to that I used to take up to 4 coloxyl w/senna daily. Both these products are laxatives. I stopped the coloxyl/ senna tablets after yet another hospitalisation in 2010 and was put on movicol instead. I prefer the movicol as I have greater control and since taking this suffered less obstructions requiring hospitalisation. Yes in hospital for an additional scs lead placement and repositioning of existing lead, discharged Friday am and Saturday night back in a different hospital.
Had Dr instructions been followed as I found out yesterday the obstruction and another trip to ER and hospital would have been avoided. I was supposed to be on morphine 3 hourly post the surgery Weds night and Thursday, Thursday night and Friday as required and discharged from hospital Saturday afternoon. I was instead begging for the medication and being told no not yet and discharged 36 hours too early and before the Dr saw me.
The scs procedure was/is so painful because they had great difficulty getting the 2nd lead in and had to cut extensively, repositioning the existing lead further problematic and virtually had to rip and cut tissue the length of the lead, so I have a 6" incision where the leads are and the battery site incision also reopened but that's not really hurting at all.
I'm on yet another new medication, temgesic x 2 at 8hrly intervals, tepantadol 100mg to 200mg every 12 hours, oxy SR every 24 and I'm told I gave to take them, to combat I'm also on x 2 coloxyl/senna at night and 1 movicol in the am and may have to increase it to 2 if I go 1/2 a day without hearing stomach sounds... I've never heard of temgesic?
All in all, I'm really flummoxed and exhausted. My husband is very angry and my PM doctor fuming at the hospital and the witch nurse, I've had to scribe a complaint and he is taking it up with the Director. There is also the problem of the incorrect medication dispensed and taken, even just the one dose has caused internal problems and can apparently take the body up to a month to recover.
I'm very glad it's October, new month and all that...

I am at a loss for words which is really unusual for me. You have endured so much. I know your hubby has had such a difficult time with his own issues. So difficult for both of you.

Love & Prayers,

Gerry

Geez Pam.....how much can one person take? What a horrible litany of medical mistakes and idiots you have had to endure. That nurse should be strung up.

I don't know how you are keeping all your meds and med changes straight....you must need a spread sheet or an assistant. Is someone helping you out at home?
Was Lyndon able to take time off?

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have not been around the forum much and was thinking of you and just horrified when I read what you have been through since the surgery. Lets hope it ALL gets better from here on out. Just healing and pain reduction and no more idiot pharmacists dispensing the wrong med or nurse ratchet on a power trip....seriously, that person needs to be relieved of her duties before she kills someone. If you had the time and inclination it sure sounds like you would have a good case against the hospital and nurse. What happened to you is inexcusable Pam....I am so sorry for what you have been though. Again, you are in my prayers....positive, healing energy coming your way. To Lyndon as well....

All my best, D.